Joy Time

The poem collector in me at work again... Came across two really good poems which I liked. Thought will post them here.

Joy : by Rabindranath Tagore

And Joy is Everywhere;

It is in the Earth's green covering of grass;

In the blue serenity of the Sky;

In the reckless exuberance of Spring;

In the severe abstinence of gray Winter;

In the Living flesh that animates our bodily frame;

In the perfect poise of the Human figure, noble and upright;

In Living;

In the exercise of all our powers;

In the acquisition of Knowledge;

in fighting evils...

Joy is there Everywhere.

Time is too slow for those who wait

by Henry Van Dyke

Time is too slow for those who wait,

too swift for those who fear,

too long for those who grieve,

too short for those who rejoice,

but for those who love,

time is eternity

Now Playing: Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya (Karthik) - Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya

The Writer's Block

My fingers are dancing over the qwerty
I really want write something from the bottom of my heart
I want to get my hands dirty
And make yet another start!

There is either a famine or a flood of ideas in my cerebrum
There are times I cannot write a single word
And times where I disgorge incoherent ideas in cryptic conundrum
That are worth only to be interred!

My fingers flop down on the keyboard due to lack of work in shame
They do what they usually do in such times without fail
I end up googling my own name, how lame,
And set forth on my usual meaningless web trail.

Dead-ends - Where New life begins

I was on the highway sooner than I had realized

You are part of the race whether or not you want to be

I set forth at full gear with

The wind on my face

The music on my lips

The feel of absolute power in my hands

I knew know fear

There were no strings attached.

I braved many distractions

It was important to keep driving on

I ignored the exits and short-cuts

They were only for quitters and losers

I ignored the warnings and the signals

They were only for the faint-hearted and weaklings

There were many obstructions

But it was important to keep driving on!

I started this journey with a dream

A dream that when I reach the end of my journey

Where there are no more roads

Where no man has driven to before

I shall erect my flag of success on virgin grounds

And bask in the glory of my achievements

But the roads never come to an end

Roads will never come to an end

It is for you to find that happy nook that others call the "Dead-end"

Where you need to carve a niche for yourself

That happy place where only your car can go through the gates

Where other cars can come, but they have to leave.

Life is funny in that sense

The journey does not come to an end

Because your destination has arrived

Rather it comes because you can no longer drive

Or make a conscious choice to end the journey

I am still driving

But wisely so now

For I am aware that I need to find my dead-end

Where a happy new life awaits!

Mi Primer Poema Espanol

La señora es mucho bonita.
A mi me gusta la señora.
Algún día voy a hablar con ella
ese día voy a cantar la la la

That girl she is really beautiful
I like that girl a lot
Some day I will talk to that girl
That day I will sing la la la

The Climb Resumes...

For years I have been climbing steep mountains
I have never feared hanging off steep ledges
The sharp rocks have seldom hurt me
I was undeterred by the pain my arms
And the ache in my legs
I was steady in my resolve
To keep climbing higher and higher
Until I reached the ultimate summit!

Everything was fine until my recent fall
The fear of failure has crept into me like poison ivy
Self infliction is nothing but an easy solution
I seek pleasure in pain
I seek solace in my solitude
I seek refuge in my goblet
Hoping to drown in the rednesss of the wine
That liberates my inner spirit!

A faint voice within me frantically calls out
Begging me to just hang in there
And that the tide will turn
I hear the voice of reason calling out loudly to
Pull myself out of this abyss
For I have been at greater heights
The climb now should be faster and easier
The perils are not strangers anymore.

I may now hold on to my rope tighter
Every step of mine might take longer
I may rest after each exertion and my breath may be heavier
But at least I have resumed my climb!
And I vow that I shall keep climbing
As after every fall the only way is UP!

Contentment

I stare out of my window at the grey night sky
And see a lone faint star in the distance.
The clouds annoy me for this reason.
Why do they want to deny me the simple pleasure
Of gazing at the bright stars and counting them?
A finite entity attempting to grasp the infinite.
It is not that I want the stars all for myself.
I do not wish to roll up the sky
And hang it in my living room to adorn my wall.

But this is just a momentary lapse
For I am filled with brimming gratitude
For it is the clouds that bear the rain
that paints the earth in hues of green
that ensures my thirst is quenched.
I quietly close the window making a vow to myself
That I shall consciously try to be content with what I have!

The Long Awaited Journey

Blogging from the airport has now become a tradition for me :).

This has been a year of very few trips or journeys.

• Jakarta in January
• India in Jan / Feb
• Malacca and Mt Ophir (Malaysia) in September
• India again now in December.

I am now going to India(chennai) after almost 10 months, my longest strech away from home. Hopefully the next year brings a lot of good change !!
Till then Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

As usual a verse to end it all, based on a real experience today.

I shook my hands with an old neglected gentleman and he felt happy.
I wished him good luck and seasons greetings and he felt elated.
He came towards me and embraced me and I was almost in tears!

Forgotten Face - Aasai Mugam Marandhu

Excerpts from one of the many gems of Bharathiyar. I heard this song recently in a concert and was totally moved by it. Apparently Bharathi had written this song when he lost his mother's photograph (the only photograph and memory he had of her).

ஆசைமுகம் மறந்து போச்சே - இதை யாரிடம் சொல்வேனடி தோழி?
I have forgotten that lovely face, whom shall I share this grief with ?
நேசம் மறக்கவில்லை நெஞ்சம் - எனில் நினைவு முகம் மறக்கலாமோ?
The heart has still not forgotten the love, alas how can I forget that memorable face?


தேனை மறந்திருக்கும் வண்டும் - ஒளிச் சிறப்பை மறந்துவிட்ட பூவும்
வானை மறந்திருக்கும் பயிறும் - இந்த வையம் முழுதுமில்லை தோழி
One cannot find in this whole world :
Bees that have forgotten honey
Flowers that forgotten the splendor of light
Crops that have forgotten the sky


கண்ணன் முகம் மறந்துபோனால் - இந்த கண்களிருந்து பயனுண்டோ?
If I forget the face of krishna, then what is the use of my eyes? (Krishna is a placeholder for his mother here).
வண்ணப் படமுமில்லை கண்டாய் - இனி வாழும் வழியென்னடி தோழி?
I no longer have your photograph, now what is left in life,tell me my dear friend ?

Con-Verse-sation

17:28 VK: arz kiya hai.....
17:28 VK: Tairna hai to samundar Mein tairo,
17:28 VK: Nadi naalo Mein kya rakha hai,
17:28 VK: Mohabbat karni hai to apne watan se karo,
17:28 VK: In bewafa hASino Mein kya rakha hai......
(If you want to swim, do so in the ocean. What is there in the ponds and rivers. If you want to Love someone, find someone from your own country. What do you see or what is there in these disloyal damsels?).

17:32 Me: wah wah...may i kindly ASk you to qualify these bewafa hASinAS..
17:33 AS: this shair is for the NRI
17:33 VK: indeed

17:37 Me: in continuation with VK's effort with my rusty hindi :
17:38 AS: best of luck to us
17:38 Me: here you go..
17:38 Me: tairna aata to samundar kya aASman Mein tairunga
17:38 Me: pyar karna aata to ek nahi hazaaron hASinon se karunga
(If I could swim then i would do so in the skies. And if I was capable of love, I would love not one but a thousand damsels.)
17:38 AS: aaage?
17:39 Me: this is like kabir ke dohe...2 liners
17:39 AS: dohe still follow a format
17:39 AS: a reply to a shair should be a shair
17:39 AS: 4 liner on 4 liner

17:41 Pak Poet: Gul hui jaati hai afsurda sulagti hui shaam
17:41 Pak Poet: Dhul ke niklay gi abhi chAShma-e-mahtab se raat
17:41 Pak Poet: Aur mushtaaq nigaahon ki suni jaaye gi
17:41 Pak Poet: Aur un hathon se mAS: hongay yeh tarse huay haath

17:42 Me: translate plz
17:42 Pak Poet: Translation

17:42 Pak Poet: The morose evening is lost in the silhouette of a fading sun
17:42 Pak Poet: But soon, it will coMe out bathed in the moonlit night
17:43 Pak Poet: And those eager eyes will be heard to, one more tiMe
17:43 Pak Poet: and these longing fingers will be entwined with those fingers again

17:43 Me: whoa ur verse is it?
17:43 Me: awesoMe
17:43 Pak Poet: no... faiz ahmed faiz
17:43 Pak Poet: Pak Poet:
17:43 Pak Poet: winner of Lenin prize, 1985
17:43 Me: nice
17:45 Pak Poet: correction: Lenin Peace Prize, awarded in
1962...

Oxygenic Verse

Lines from Tamizh MA

Exchanging our stories
We blended into the air
Even if our conversations end
I am content and happy in the shadows of your silence

P.S. : Tried my hand at tamizh after a long long time. I still enjoy writing in Tamizh.



LEISURE - Excerpts from the famous poem Leisure by W.H. Davies

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

P.S. : Shot that sunset picture from the house, on one pleasant evening.


Lines from A Song in Jab We Met

Ham Jo Chalne Lage Yeh Raasthe
The route that we have treaded
Kho Jaye Hum Kho Jaye Hum yun la pata
We are lost and are clueless where we are
Janaa Kahaan Na ho pata
Neither do we know where we are heading to
Par Manzil Se Behether Lagne Lage yeh raasthe
But yet this journey seems to better than the final destinations themselves!

P.S. : Lights outside Capital Tower Tanjong Pagar, Singapore

Pollen Moments

The school bell rang at exactly 3 PM. Raghu came rushing out of his biology class. Raghu belonged to class 5 in Wesley High School. He was a very bright and inquisitive student. He located his red "BSA StreetCat" cycle in the stands and enthusiastically cycled back home. He parked the cycle by the window and locked. He inspected the reflector at the rear of the cycle. It looked a bit dusty. He kneeled down and started polishing itwith his saliva. It was now gleaming in the evening sun. Beaming and satisfied with his effort,he rushed to find his grandmother in the kitchen.

Grandma: What is up Laddu(sweetums)? Why are you brimming with so much excitement?
Raghu: Grandma, we had a very interesting lesson today in Biology. It was about osmosis. I am going to do some experiments at home with raisins and grapes. Can you give me some?
Grandma: Sure you can take it, but tell me what you are going to do with them?
Raghu: I am going to put the raisins in water. The raisins should absorb the water due to osmosis and bloat in size. When ripe full grapes are kept in water they lose water due to reverse osmosis. When grapes are preserved in sugar water they will retain shape and water.
Grandma: For this you need to experiment? I know this more from my kitchen experience than from my Class II education. Do you see those big array of jars there. Those are all different fruits and vegetables preserved in Salt and sugar water for pickling later. I don't know anything about "aash-maashish" though.
Raghu: Hmm. Not bad, Grandma, I think I can put your practical experience to some use later. I am off to do my homework now.

Some days later, Raghu is just back from school and finds his grandmother in the garden behind the house, planting some saplings.

Raghu: Excellent grandma I found you at the right place.
Grandma: Little Rascal! What weird question do you have for me today?
Raghu: Let me put you test. Can you tell me how trees come to existence and grow?
Grandma: How else, but from seeds sown in the soil?
Raghu: But tell me where seeds come from?
Grandma: Seeds come from the trees themselves my dear!
Raghu: Aiyoh! Patti(Grandma)! You don't know anything. Dont you know anything about pollination? Flowers are pollinated with pollen grains and they become fruits. Seeds come from the fruits which grow into trees later.

Raghu goes near the hibiscus shrub, carefully picks the stamens from the flower and crushes them so that he has a thin layer of pollen in his hand and carefully blows air over his hand so that the pollen fly above the flowers.

Grandma (amused at his antics) : Little Doctor, what are you upto?
Raghu: (Indicating at the two Guava fruits hanging from the guava tree with great pride and his head high up)Grandma do you know who created those fruits? It is me!
Grandma: What are you blabbering? What do you mean you created those fruits?
Raghu: Did you not see what I just did? I pollinated the flowers myself by blowing the pollens. In a weeks' time you should see some kind of fruit in the hibiscus tree too!
Grandma: This is all going way above my head now. And don't try any more of your artificial stuff in my garden. I will preserve it in my own natural way.
Raghu: Don't worry patti I know everything! Next week they are starting Human Physiology and I will learn how babies are born at school. I shall put you to test on subject quite soon!
Grandma: WHAAAT!

Have You ... ?

Have you tried blowing whistles with the petals of a flower
Have you ever tasted sweet nectar from the flower's nectary

Have you streched yourself flat on dew filled grass and tried rolling down a slope
Have you tried climbing trees and swinging on its branches

Have you dug the soft earth with your hands and planted any saplings
Have you drawn water out of a well using a pulley and pail and watered the plants

Have you tasted fresh honey drops from a beehive
Have you quenched your thirst with the cold water from an earthen pot?

Have you inscribed or etched some insignia on the barks of trees
Have you tried cooing back at Mynahs and Cuckoos and listened for their response

Have you been to the terrace on a dark starry night and wondered about the universe beyond
Have you stared at your reflection in ponds and tried making faces at yourself

Have you opened your mouth to the rainy skies to taste pure rain drops
And cycled in knee deep water and observed the wonderful patterns that the tyres leave on the water surface

Have you spent hours on the beach bathing and collecting sea shells
And building Sand castles, only to jump on them in the end and destroy them.

For If you haven't till now it is never too late
And You are never too old!

The Sthitha-Prajna - Part 3

The Story so far:

PART 1

PART 2

Part 3

Vipra emerged from the cold water wrapped in his saffron dhoti. The world around him was slowly stirring. The early morning fishermen were spreading their nets from the banks of the Bhagirathi. The flow of the river in this season was too rapid for their battered boats.

Vipra could see sevaks (disciples) were already heading towards the assembly hall. Guruji would soon emerge from his hut and take his seat on the elevated platform of the hall. Vipra rushed to his quarters, quickly changed into dry clothes and spread some holy ash on his bare torso and forehead. He flattened his hair with his hands and tidied his beard by combing them with fingers. He was surprised at the length of his beard which came down upto his collar bones now. He remembered his old barber's jocular remarks and laughed at himself.

The Hare might have been slow
But the Hair are here to grow
And we are at your service to do the mow!

Vipra eventually made his way to the assembly hall and found a place on the floor by the window. He was never a classroom person, and his attention span was quite poor. By choosing to sit near the window he could at least stare at the Red flowers on the Gulmohar tree.

There she was again, dancing in his memories again. Sarojini had indeed turned up in the College canteen the day after Republic day. She had had the courage to come all the way till the entrance of the canteen. When he walked in on her from behind, she had still been contemplating whether to enter the canteen or not. It was quite funny and complex about women he thought. When she had had no doubts about coming to the canteen all the way from her hostel, why would she think twice about going inside. A little bit of cajoling was required and soon they were sipping hot tea (chai) and munching hot sams (samosas) and chatting away.

One meeting led to another and soon they used to meet everyday in the evenings under the Gulmohar tree in the back side of the college canteen. They were like two enthusiastic children, exploring their likes and dislikes, passion, fashion and everything under the sun that picked their interests. Eventually in the eyes of the college they were officially in love though nothing was explicitly expressed between them in words or writing.

Time passed by. The equations were gradually changing. Many say that men love the hunt and the chase more than anything else afterwards. Maybe the same was true with Vipra. He was beginning to take Sarojini for granted. He did not wait for hours behind the canteen, nor outside the Girl's hostel with his cycle as he used to before.

Sarojini was a very simple girl with minimum expectations. She did not expect any sweet-nothings from him in the form of e-mails, gifts or regular SMSes. She was an epitome of patience and continued to care for him even if his attention and concentration were on other things.

A Loud "OM" chanting brought back Vipra to his senses. Guruji was seated in a "Padmasana" pose on the platform. Guruji spoke: " Today we will be looking at Jagadguru Adi Sankara's Bhaja Govindam".

Nari-Sthana Bhara nabhi desham
Drishtva Maga Moha Vesham
Ethan Mamsa va saadhi vikaaram
Manasi vichinthaya varam varam
Seeing the full bosom of young maidens and their navel, do not fall prey to the maddening delusion. This is but a modification of flesh and fat. Think well thus in your mind again and again.

Nalini'dalagatajalam ati-taralam
tadvaj-jèevitam atis'ayacapalam,
viddhi vyádhy-abhimána-grastam
lokam s'okahatam ca samastam
The water drop playing on a lotus petal has an extremely uncertain existence. So also is life ever unstable. Understand that this world is consumed by disease and conceitand is riddled with pangs and grief.

Vipra listened in rapt attention and recited the verses with the others. The hall was resonating with the holy chanting creating a unique metaphysical experience for the audience. Vipra had found some peace after all.

To be continued...

Glossary

Adi Sankara - (Teacher, Philosopher) The founder of Advaita Hindu Philosophy and author of many hymns and scriptures including Bhaja Govindam.

Guruji - Teacher
Gulmohar Tree: Peacock Flower or Flame of the Forest Tree commonly found in India. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Poinciana

Padmasana - A yoga pose in a legs folded squatting position on the floor.

Gairvani

Rajappa (Gairvani's father[Appa]) and Gairvani have just returned from Riverdale to Rajappa's ancestral home in Malgudi,(Rajappa's hometown).

Rajappa standing besides the ancient loft in his house.
Appa: "Gairvaaaani"! Can you please come here a minute and help me hold this stool?

Gairvaani: In a jiffy daddykins, just give me a moment.

Appa: Call me Appa(father) ok! And not daddykins!

Gairvani: Then you call me Vanessa and not Gairvaani, how about that?

Appa: Don't be ridiculous. Dont you know what your name means? "Gairvani" represents the "Sanskrit" Langugage which is one of the most ancient languages in the world and is supposed to be the language of the Gods.

Gairvani: Ya; But imagine what I had to put up in school. They shortened my name to Vani first, then "Vain" and they used to sing

Vain Vain Go away
Come again another day
Little Arthur wants to play
In the meadow by the hay!

I used to feel so ashamed to go to school. That's why I named myself Vanessa!

Appa: Silly excuses! Where was your sense of humor? You should have just laughed your way through this.By the way who is this Arthur?

(Giggly gairvani)
Gairvani: You really don't wanna know! He was big time courting me. I dated him a couple of times, but really not my type you know.

(Annoyed at his ignorance of such situations)
Appa: Hmph! Enough of unnecessary talk, let us get to business. Get into the loft and remember to wear your face mask.

Garivani: Yuck. Why is this loft so dirty?

Appa: Of course it will be dirty. It is so old. It used to be used for storing coconuts from the house. Every three months conconuts were plucked from the trees,counted and stacked here. It used to be infested with Rats.
We used to joke about it:

Let us make some coconut rice
Oh no! first we would have to kill the mice.
Let us make some sweets for the mouse-trap
Oh no! we would have to kills the ants, this is total crap.
Let us get some gammexane
Oh no!, This rhyme is turning me totally insane.

Gairvaani: Did you just make that up? It was pathetic!By the way Appa, what is in that big chest at the back there?

Appa: That contains my father's old typewriter. You know he was a famous writer. He used to take great care of the typewriter. I think it should still be in working condition.

Gairvani: Can you get that down for me. I am quite fascinated by old gadgets. I can use it for preparing my term paper based on our India visit.

Appa: Sure! Here hold it carefully. Let me find the manual for you that will help you set it up.

Gairvani: Daddy! Do you think that I am that dumb? I should be able to figure it out myself.

Appa: Your wish is my command my dear whiz Kid! It is all yours now!

Gairvani: Great! Leave me alone to do my work now.

Appa: Ok Ok ! Don't order me!

[Four hours later. Gairvani has been working on her report industriously.]
Appa: My darling daughter how is your report coming along! As my professor used to tell me you should do : constant consistent hard industrious meticulous work and not last minute work.

Gairvani: You always underestimate me don't you! I am done with this report finally. If you could just tell me how to print this out I shall do that and mail this report to the university.

Appa: WHAAAT! (Breaks out into loud laughter)Let me pass the manual to you at least now. It would probably take you 5 minutes to go through it.
*(and to himself chuckling : And another four hours typing your entire report again with paper in the tray).

[Inspired by an episode of "My Wife and Kids" on Star World)

Glossary
Riverdale = A fictional town in Archies *(set in the US)
Malgudi = A fictonal town in RK Narayan's novels (set in India)

Insurance Thea-tricks

Agent Smith is an insurance agent for Neo Beyond Life Services Ltd.

Rocket Ramanujam is a Middle-Class Millionare Moron (sorry ;) Oxy-Moron) from Chennai.

Agent Smith: Have you thought about your future sir?
Rocket Ramanujam: Most definitely. Tommorow I am going out on a date with Abirami.
Agent Smith: Not just tommorow sir, the further future.
Rocket Ramanujam: Oh yes. I am meeting Albert my friend in Amsterdam in 2 months.
Agent Smith: I am talking long term Sir
Rocket Ramanujam: Long term I want to be a Pilot!
Agent Smith: No kidding?
Rocket Ramanujam: "Sathyam"-aa solren baa! (Saying nothing but the truth)
Agent Smith: That is a very risky job sir. Jokes apart, life is like a "Casino" Sir. You can win and lose money very quickly.So you should plan well ahead. Take my advise and dont have any "Ega" .
Rocket Ramanujam: I have "Devi"'s blessings and I want to live in "Shanthi" (peace)in this "Paradise" like world.
Agent Smith: Life is a mystic "Mayajaal" (mirage / maze) and there could be testing times. Don't you want a "Grand" life for your future generation.
Rocket Ramanujam: I belong to Generation Next. So I am already my future generation. Don't waste my time anymore. Were you born during the Autumnal Equ-"Inox" ? Your head seems to be as barren as the trees during fall. Go take a holiday in the cool "Woodlands" listening to soothing "Melody".
Agent Smith: Right ho! But just before I leave I want you to have a look at this "Take it easy Policy" !

Rocket Ramanujam: What, are you selling Windows to Microsoft? I created that policy! Now buzz off or you will be terminated.

** - The ones in the Blue above are famous Cinema halls in Chennai.

A Fernvale Reverie

Lying on my bed by the window sill
I keep gazing at the moon
And often wonder that it is not here i belong
I need a place where time stands still !

For I need to listen to that sparrow chirping
I want to walk in the gardens and revel in the hibiscus blooms
For I want to stop by the river and listen to the croaking frogs
And spend hours throwing pebbles into the water
Watching in child-like amazement at the ripples formed.

But the moon is so far away
And so is my dream.
But that will not stop me from dreaming
There will be a day,
Dear sparrow hold your song for me until then!

The Sthitha Prajna - Part 2

Immersed in water,his mind was racing back to those imprinted memories.

It was almost seven years ago. It was the Republic Day celebrations happening in National Engineering College, Panchavati. Vipra was a Senior Cadet in the NCC (National Cadet Corps) Panchavati division and he was leading the march past.He was clad in crisply ironed khakis, with shining metal boots that made a majestic resonating sound during the march past. All cadets wore big black belts with bronze metal links which were at their shining best, after all the "Brasso" polishing. The "Beret" on their heads with the bright red "Pom-Poms" worn at a tilting 45 degrees added to the colors of the fest.

The march past had ended with the contingent leading the College Principal to the flag hoisting. After the flag hoisting and the National Anthem, the college choir group started singing loudly, the National Flag Song:

Jhanda Ooncha Rahen Hamara

Let the National Flag always fly high.
Vijayi Vishwa Thiranga Pyaara

Let Our beloved tricolor be universally victorious!

A bright face in the first row of stage captured Vipra's full attention. It was the first time Vipra saw Sarojini. He was fascinated by the way she had held her head high up in the air, and singing with complete conviction. She was wearing a white Salwar with Green dupatta. Her hair was neatly braided and held together by Orange (saffron) ribbons. A sharp observer would also have noticed the blue ear drops and the blue Bindi on her forehead. In totality she seemed to symbolise the Indian National Flag.

Following this there were a number of National integration dances performed by various groups and patriotic plays of the likes of "Lala Lajpat Rai", "Bhagat Singh" etc. Eventually the events came to and end and the distribution of sweets started. Vipra anxiously scanned the crowd looking for her. He spotted her at one of the booths distributing sweets to students of first year. He decided to join the queue which was really long, but well worth the effort for him. Several of his friends dropped by and mocked at him for queueing with the first years being a 3rd year student. He retorted back saying that as a Senior Cadet he had to mingle with the first years to recruit fresh cadets.

Narrator's BGM: If I had to give a background music for this situation I would use the song from Guna :
Paartha Vizhi Paartha Padi Poothu Irruka
His eyes bloomed like a flower and were affixed on her
Kaathirundha Kaatchi Ingu Kaana Kidaikka
Finally after the long wait he could catch sight of her.

When he finally got to the front of the queue all the sweets were over by then. Sarojini made a sad face and indicated the empty sweet box.

Vipra spoke to her: "You have made me wait so long and you can't send me back empty handed"!

Sarojini remarked :" Hello Officer Sir! if you were here for the sweets then why din't you go and stand in the queue of your own year, which was much shorter."

Vipra: The Indian National Flag at this booth seemed to be calling out to me!

(Blushing a bit, but trying not to react)

Sarojini: What nonsense! nobody called for anybody!

Vipra: Let me give you another chance, you can buy me sweets at the college canteen tommorow evening 5 PM. How about that?

Sarojini: What me buying you sweets ! Why on earth would I do that? Do you even know my name?

Vipra: Ok then I will buy you, and you can buy me the next time! And I know your name Sarojini; I looked up in the performers list. And I am "Vipra" pleased to meet you, though I guess you might already know mine.

Sarojini: Wait a minute Big-headed officer!. I did not even ask for it. And how can you assume I will come!

Vipra: I know that the Indian Flag is compassionate and kind. It cannot refuse the requests of a humble citizen who adores the flag. Bye and see you tommorow!

To Be Continued....

Glossary:

Beret : A Military Cap

Pom-Pom: A furry ball that is pinned on to the Beret

(NCC) National Cadet Corps : An India Military Cadet Corps open to Youth. (school and college students)

Brasso: Polishing liquid for Brass

The Sthitha-Prajna - A Short Story

The sparrow was chirping at his window. With great weariness Vipra opened his eyes.That morning was especially cold. It was earlier than usual, or at least it felt like that for Vipra. He had had a disturbed sleep. He quickly checked his watch. It was 5.30 AM. Indeed the sparrow was earlier by half an hour that morning. He examined his watch with greater attention.It was a shiny gold HMT watch with an India flag engraved in the centre of the dial. It flooded him with memories. Deep emotions engulfed him. He attempted to regain composure by meditating and diverting attention. He was ashamed of himself and this was not appropriate of him. But yes with time he could overcome everything and every day he repeated this to himself. He made a mental note to change the watch that day.

He arose from his straw-mat and did his surya-namaskara. Guruji would begin his morning session in an hour's time. He walked towards the towards the river with his change clothes. The sky was still dark and the River Bhagirathi still was at its glistening silvery best. Vipra took a deep breath of the fresh morning air and paused for a moment to enjoy the soothing gurgling sound of flowing water.

He tried to recall guruji's teachings of the previous day on "Sthitha-Prajna" Lakshanam.(Qualities of an Equanimous Mind).

Yada' sam-harathe chayam
Kurmo-ngaani-va sarvashah
Indriyaani-ndriyaarthebhyah
Tasya Prajna Prathishtithah

"When a person can withdraw his senses from worldly objects and desires just like the tortoise withdraws its limbs and head into it shell, his wisdom is firmly set and he achieves an equanimous mind. "

Practicing what he learnt everyday was proving to be an arduous task for him. "Vipra" his name meant "The Inspired One". It was hardly so now. He realised that he had to gather himself up soon from this rotten state. Reflecting on this he entered the water. It was freezing cold at that time. Deeply engrossed in thought he had hardly noticed the coldness.

Stones thrown into water
Sink fast and settle down at the bottom
But the ripples on the surface last longer.

Ripples extend outward
From the Point of disturbance
But soon there would be no more ripples
Just the stand still calm water once again!

To be continued ...

Glossary

River Bhagirathi - Tributary of River Ganga

Sthitha - Prajna Lakshanam - Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2

Vipra - Sanskrit name for "The Inspired One"

HMT - Hindustan Machine Tools (old Indian watch brand)

Surya - Namaskara - Tribute to the Sun God. A Form of Yoga Exercise.

Sublime Verse

"We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time"

"There will be time to wonder
Do I dare, Do I dare?
Time to turn back and descend the stair...
Do I dare
Disturb the universe? "


--------------- Lines by T.S. Eliot

Pookal Udhirum Saalai Vazhiye Pesi Selgiren
I walk talking to myself on roads sprinkled with flowers

Marangal kooda nadapathu pole ninaithu kolgiren.
I console myself thinking that I am walking with the trees

These lines symbolize loneliness and solitude but in a positive way. It implies that even though one is cruising along in good times there is a need to share their happiness with others. (not just in times of sorrow and misery).

-------------Lines for title song Kadhalikka Neramillai

Strange, is it not? that of the myriads who

Before us pass’d the door of Darkness through,

Not one returns to tell us of the Road,

Which to discover we must travel too.

-------------The Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam - By Edward Fitzegrald

Bad Day

You wake up in the morning and something seems wrong and you know it is your bad day.

You have run out of toothpaste.
The water inlet pipe breaks leaking water all over.
The coffee boils over making a mess of your stove.
There is a button missing in the shirt you had pressed with care.
You rush to the bus stop to realise that you missed the bus and next one is 30 min later.
You hurry to office in a cab hoping that no one noticed that you are late.
You realise your whole team is awaiting your arrival to solve some critical problem.
Your inbox is full of mails with critical status that have to be replied to.
You are served burnt and yucky tasting food at lunch.
With severe headache you have to attend a really long and boring afternoon meeting.
You sweat it out to get the applications running on the server and realise that someone has pulled the plug off!
Just when you are about to leave someone requests you to solve a problem for him.
Finally after braving all these you go home And you thank god that the day is over!!!

And thatz the best time to hear the following song by Daniel Powter titled "Bad Day".
It is like rubbing salt on your wounds, yet it is damn good!

---------------------------------------

Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to gray
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee you go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carryin' on

Because you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Will you need a blue sky holiday?
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on
You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day(Oooh.. a holiday..)

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong(yeah...)

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't knowYou tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day